New York City is set to unveil its artificial intelligence policy for public schools this Wednesday, imposing strict regulations that prohibit the use of student-facing AI tools from preschool through middle school and limit screen time for younger students.
The forthcoming guidelines, according to sources familiar with the situation and documents from the Education Department, will restrict access to generative AI technologies—including chatbots and tutoring programs—for students in pre-K through eighth grade, marking a decisive move within the nation's largest school district.
The new measures will prevent schools from assigning individual devices to preschoolers and students up to second grade, while smart boards will still be permitted in classrooms. For those in grades three to five, screen time on personal devices will be capped at 30 minutes, and middle school students will face a limit of 45 minutes. While high school students will also see some AI restrictions, they may be permitted to use it for specific purposes such as literacy initiatives, career preparation programs, and participation in five pilot projects across a limited number of schools. Recommendations for screen time may vary based on subject and teaching methods.
This policy represents a significant shift in the city’s approach to integrating AI and managing screen time in educational settings, one that other education leaders nationwide are sure to observe as they navigate similar challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies.
Education Department officials emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and social interactions for younger students, noting that excessive individual screen time can diminish these experiences. For high school students, the focus will be on equipping them with necessary skills for a workforce increasingly influenced by AI, while also addressing concerns regarding the technology's inherent biases and risks.
Teachers will be authorized to use certain approved AI tools for instructional activities like lesson planning, translating materials, and drafting communications, yet they will be barred from employing this technology for grading, behavior tracking, counseling, or developing special education strategies.
In conjunction with these new rules, city officials are forming a task force to guide the ongoing implementation of the policy. Although an Education Department spokesperson has not commented on the matter, sources indicate that some flexibility will be allowed in the policy to facilitate necessary assessments for reading and math, particularly for students who are English language learners or those with disabilities.
The initial AI guidance released by the city faced widespread criticism shortly after it was announced in March, prompting officials to reconsider their strategy and push back the rollout by two months. This delay created a challenging scenario for schools just before the academic year began on September 10. The current enforcement method for the policy remains undefined.
Earlier guidelines categorized different AI applications in the classroom using a traffic-light system to assess their risk, but did not focus adequately on student usage—a contentious issue for many educators and parents alike.
Grassroots parent groups have heavily influenced the conversation surrounding AI in schools, with many advocating for a halt to generative AI initiatives. A substantial number of City Council members voiced their concerns in a letter addressed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, calling for a suspension of AI use due to potential impacts on student learning and mental well-being. Chancellor Samuels admitted in May that the initial guidance had shortcomings, suggesting that the final policy would impose stricter regulations on AI usage, especially for younger students.
As new guidelines were being developed, Samuels instructed the schools to delay any purchases of AI software, resulting in frustration among some school leaders who feared lacking vital software, such as electronic gradebooks and communication platforms, at the start of the new school year.
Alex Zimmerman reports on public schools for Chalkbeat New York. For inquiries, contact Alex at [email protected]. Amy Zimmer serves as the bureau chief for Chalkbeat New York, reachable at [email protected].
